DAVAO CITY, Philippines — Three children died in a fire that hit a residential area in Purok Masagana 9 Andravel, Barangay Central, Mati City, Davao Oriental on Friday night.

The fatalities were identified as siblings Ahmily Earl, 10, and Chris Herish, 3, and their cousin Alicia Denise, 8, all surnamed Halipa. The victims were trapped in a house, where they were left alone, when the fire broke out at around 11:30 p.m., Fire Senior Inspector Christian Cena, Mati fire marshal, said.

Authorities said the houses of at least 50 families were destroyed in the fire.

The Bureau of Fire Protection declared the fire out at about 3:20 a.m. yesterday.

Cena said “electrical ignition caused by a pinched wire” caused the fire.

Damage due to the fire was initially pegged at P 1.5 million.

Davao Oriental Gov. Nelson Dayanghirang visited the families who lost their homes and distributed food packs, clothes, blankets and toiletries.

The provincial government also gave P3,000 in emergency cash assistance to those staying in evacuation centers.

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